GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for my "2 cents."
Trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat. How old is too old to collect something sweet?
It is an age-old debate 'unwrapped' every Halloween -- the maximum acceptable age at which to trick-or-treat.
There is no national age limit on trick-or-treating, but cities and HOAs can set their own rules. Chesapeake, VA, for example, has a trick-or-treating age limit of 14, and violating it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine. The law has been on the books since the 1970s, but there is no public record of enforcement.
My take as a mom? Ghouls and goblins should see no difference between an infant and high school senior. It is perfectly acceptable for teenagers to trick-or-treat, an activity that is likely safer than a Halloween party alternative.
Childhood is already so fleeting, as smartphones replace Sesame Street, and skincare routines erase adolescent self-confidence. Let's encourage children to be children and embrace the magic of the holidays as long as possible.
That said, candy for the masses isn't cheap. How about an all-age alternative, like Halloween pencils you can find in bulk at a box store? An everlasting experience is more memorable than an Everlasting Gobstopper.
So, come one, come all, and trick-or-treat. It is a Halloween joy you just cant beat. Just mind your manners, and be careful crossing the street.
Sincerely,
Meghann
